Crowds waited outside Romford Train Station as he arrived by train fashionably late, before marching down South Street with councillors and candidates in tow.

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During his jaunt, which also saw him visit The Liberty Shopping Centre, the charismatic Mr Johnson was greeted by camera-wielding fans, posing for photographs and thriving on the good-natured heckles he received from afar, including “vote Ukip” and “vote Labour.”

He also spoke to the Recorder about his fondness for the town.

“I love the atmosphere,” he said. “Whenever I come here I tend to go to the market - and get shouted at. It is a historic town centre. I have got a book about the history of Romford in my office - although I wouldn’t like to be tested on it!”

When quizzed on the latest political movements in the borough ahead of the elections, specifically that of the mayor, Cllr Eric Munday, defecting from the Tories to Ukip, Mr Johnson said he was unaware of the news, but highlighted the good work of the Romford party, also stating he will continue “pumping money into the area.”

“We have good Conservative councillors here, like Osman [Dervish, RCA Chairman], and we are fielding a good team of candidates building on what we’re trying to do across London.”

“Where to go for a drink near Great Portland Street?” was previously met with blank expressions and shrugs for those local to the area, not anymore, thanks to the opening of The Refinery at Regent’s Place, the eighth bar and restaurant from hugely-successful group Drake & Morgan.